Himalayan Black Bear-Human Conflict, Conservation and Management Strategies in Kashmir Valley: A review

Conflicts between humans and wild animals are a serious problem in many parts of the world and Himalayan Black bear-Human conflict is a major concern through the western Himalayas and particularly in Kashmir valley of Jammu and Kashmir state. Due to increasing human population and changing land use practices, much of the wildlife habitats have been lost to human habitations, expansion of agriculture/horticulture lands and developmental activities. The damage and destruction caused by black bear to human property and sometimes to human life is a real and significant danger to many human communities. And with the bear often killed, captured or otherwise harmed in retaliation, these conflicts are one of the main threats to the continued survival of many species. Himalayan black bear numbers are decreasing in many areas due to large scale habitat degradation, poaching of gall bladder and skins and control to reduce crop depredation. In order to strengthen the bear conflict management activities of the Department of Wildlife Protection, J & K State, a fully equipped well trained and motivated conflict management team comprising of wildlife staff, veterinarians, staff of related departments or institutions, and wildlife NGO's should be formed at the wildlife division level to respond to conflict situations, including bear rescue, translocation and monitoring. The long term conservation of Himalayan black bear depends on adequately protecting the species and their habitats, reducing habitat degradation, strictly controlling poaching and illegal trade of gall bladder and skin and in reducing bear-human conflicts.